In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Child Welfare & Basic Education, registered private schools in Botswana have raised urgent concerns about the growing prevalence of unregulated tuition centres across the country. The letter, dated December 15, 2024, seeks the Ministry’s intervention in regulating these institutions, which are seen to undermine educational standards and pose various risks to children.
Key Issues Raised in the Letter
1. Non-Compliance with the Education Act:
According to the Education Act, specifically sections 13, 14, and 15, it is mandatory for all schools in Botswana to be registered. The letter highlights that unregistered tuition centres are flouting these regulations by operating without official registration. Additionally, section 27 of the Act grants the Ministry the power to close schools that do not meet the required inspection standards. The registered schools urge the Ministry to use these powers to close non-compliant tuition centres.
2. Unsafe Learning Environments:
Many tuition centres are reported to operate in unsafe structures, such as makeshift buildings made from corrugated sheets, shade nets, or even garages and residential houses. These premises often lack occupation permits from local councils or the physical planning department, raising concerns about the safety and suitability of these environments for children.
3. Overcrowding and Health Risks:
One of the most alarming issues raised in the letter is the overcrowding in tuition centres. These centres often violate the Ministry’s recommended space allocation of 1.5 square meters per child. Some tuition centres are reported to accommodate up to 50 students in a single small room, such as a garage. This overcrowding increases the risk of disease outbreaks, as the close proximity of children makes the spread of infections quick and uncontrollable.
4. Lack of Health Oversight:
The letter further notes that health officials regularly visit registered schools for immunization and other health checks, but they do not inspect tuition centres. This lack of oversight means that children in unregulated centres may miss vital immunizations, undermining the government’s public health efforts. The concern is that unimmunized children from tuition centres mix with immunized children from registered schools, potentially negating the Ministry’s health initiatives.
5. Unqualified Teachers:
A critical concern is the hiring of unqualified teachers in tuition centres. Many educators in these institutions have only completed their secondary education (BGCSE) and lack formal teaching qualifications. Moreover, these teachers do not possess the necessary “Permission to Teach” documents, which are required by law to ensure that educators are adequately trained and prepared.
6. Educational Gaps:
The letter also points to the lack of adherence to the prescribed government syllabus in tuition centres. Students attending these unregulated centres often struggle when they transition to registered schools. They are found to be behind academically, lacking social skills, and unable to follow the curriculum set by the Ministry. This disparity in educational quality is contributing to a decline in the overall standard of education in Botswana.
7. Unfair Competition:
The registered schools express concern about the unfair competition posed by tuition centres. Because these centres do not incur the costs of compliance with regulatory requirements, they are able to charge lower fees than registered schools. This puts registered schools, which adhere to legal and quality standards, at a financial disadvantage.
8. Lack of Oversight and Enforcement:
The letter highlights that while Ministry officials regularly conduct spot checks on registered private schools, they seem to overlook the growing number of unregulated tuition centres. This lack of enforcement allows these centres to flourish without fear of repercussions, further exacerbating the problem.
A Call for Public Education and Action
The registered private schools urge the Ministry to educate the public about the differences between registered schools and tuition centres, as many parents are unaware of the risks posed by unregulated institutions. The letter requests that the Ministry take immediate steps to regulate and close down these illegal tuition centres, citing the need for a level playing field in education and for the protection of children’s health and safety.
The concerns raised by registered private schools reflect the growing anxiety about the impact of unregulated tuition centres on the quality of education and child safety in Botswana. The Ministry of Child Welfare & Basic Education has a crucial role to play in addressing these issues by enforcing existing laws, ensuring the safety of educational environments, and maintaining high educational standards across the country. The registered schools await the Ministry’s response to their urgent appeal, hoping for swift and decisive action to safeguard the future of Botswana’s children.
